Over the years, we have consistently been blown away by the examples of generosity we’ve witnessed from our community of creatives and entrepreneurs. We asked some of them to open up to us about where they think their generosity comes from.
Adam Giriunas
If I had to trace it back, I’d say it comes from gratitude and perspective. There was a period in my life where everything felt uncertain, financially, professionally, and personally. I was building, trying, failing, adjusting. Nothing was guaranteed. When you go through seasons like that, you start to see how much small opportunities matter. A single yes. A single introduction. Read More>>
Allie Williamson
My generosity comes from God. It’s His gift to me. I truly feel He put me on this earth to serve others through cleaning, cooking, and caring for people in ways that lift their lives. Running Southern Domestic Diva has shown me that when I give from the heart, I’m not just helping others, I’m walking in the purpose He designed for me. Read More>>
Brittney Hadnot
I was born that way I grew up having less so that also made me a giver to those who are less fortunate and Im a humanitarian at heart so it makes me happy to help others when I can. Read More>>
Olessor Anthony
My generosity is rooted in how I was raised. My parents nurtured a spirit of giving in me from childhood, and my life today reflects the care, love, and values they poured into me. Over time, that foundation has grown into something deeper—generosity is not just something I do, it’s part of who I am. I express it through my time, service, compassion, and leadership. Read More>>
Carli Haney, Cara Chambrello N/A
As business owners, being generous is not just a strategy, it is a reflection of our values and the foundation on which our leadership is built. True generosity often stems from a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity, along with a genuine desire to uplift others and create meaningful impact. Read More>>
Calvin Clark
My generosity comes from my mother. Ever since I could remember, she has been the nicest and kindest woman I have known. While operating my tutoring business and going through life, I try my best to show others the same generosity and compassion that she has expressed all my life. Read More>>
Kiana Gonzalez-Cedeno
As a first generation Puerto Rican and Women of Color professor, the university can often be a confusing place, even more so when one does not have a roadmap to navigate its intricacy. Read More>>
Dominique Perles
My generosity has came from my ancestors , blessed to be born as a first generation Mexican American . My parents coming from Mexico starting over since they fled from a hurricane in Cancun to having their house burn down after ..they came with nothing but a dream to come to America . Read More>>
Mu He
Generosity, for me, comes from having been helped at the right moments. I moved from China to study design in the United States, and that experience made me deeply aware of how much small acts of kindness can matter. Read More>>
Crystal Ellison
I get my generosity from my mother, Mrs. Pat, as I sometimes jokingly call her. As a mother of nine, she gave selflessly, often offering her last without hesitation. I grew up watching her show up for people, extend kindness, and treat everyone with the same respect, whether they were a janitor or a CEO. Read More>>
Kim Nguyen
I believe that my generosity has been both learned and passed down to me from my family. I come from a Vietnamese immigrant and refugee family, and there is an inherent self-sacrifice and resilience in my grandparents, mother, father, and extended family. So many aspects of life are uncertain and unpredictable, and what may come easy one day might be gone the next. Read More>>
Despina Kayichian
I was born in Beirut, Lebanon, into a modest upbringing. My father, the youngest of eight children, joined the workforce as a teenager. With only an elementary school education, he learned carpentry and went on to become a successful businessman. This allowed us to live a comfortable middle-class life. Read More>>
Menji
My generosity comes from a place of once feeling excluded, growing up shy and introverted. That experience shaped how I show up for others today. Through pursuing my passions, especially with my music, I aim to inspire people to be unapologetically themselves. Read More>>
Megan Pike
As an entrepreneur I have been offered so many opportunities to share my work, my skills, and my passion for fiber art across the Driftless Region. From this generosity shown through hospitality I have been inspired to share generously with others. I think of a stone being tossed in a pond and seeing the ripples spread from where the stone landed in the water. Read More>>
Fusion Wedding DJ
For me, generosity comes from a deep understanding of the role I play in someone’s most meaningful moments. As a luxury Indian wedding DJ, I’m not just providing music—I’m shaping experiences that families will remember for a lifetime. That responsibility naturally inspires a mindset of giving more than expected: more energy, more creativity, more care, and more attention to detail. Generosity also comes from gratitude. Read More>>
Jamie Jamison
My generosity comes from knowing what it’s like to have nothing. I’ve been homeless and unsure where my next meal was coming from. I’ve been bullied, abused, and treated like I had no worth. Those experiences taught me how much a single act of kindness can mean when you feel invisible or forgotten. I’ve learned that generosity can be a double-edged sword. Read More>>
Jordan Suber
Meet Jordan Suber – Deep Spring We were lucky to catch up with Jordan Suber recently and have shared our conversation below. Jordan, thank you for making time for us and for being so open with the community. So many of us are shaped by what we didn’t have growing up just as much as by what we did. Read More>>
David Brinkley
Being the youngest in a family that could barely support itself, I draw my generosity from my mom and her desire to hold us together through tough times. People deserve stability and an opportunity to grow. I want to help push people to achieve their goals and highlight their journeys. Read More>>
Edwin Vargas
My generosity comes from the people who believed in me early in my journey. Mentors shared their time, knowledge, and opportunities with me, and that shaped how I lead and create today. I have seen how one act of support can change someone’s path, so I try to give others the same encouragement and space to grow. Read More>>
Michael Azgour
My approach comes from recognizing how difficult it is for artists to gain meaningful exhibition experience. There’s a gap between developing work in isolation and presenting it in a serious, public context. At West Portal Gallery, I’m focused on helping bridge that gap—creating opportunities for artists to show their work, engage with an audience, and grow through that process. Read More>>
Adam Peters
For me, generosity flows from a simple belief: when people have an excess of what they need – emotionally, energetically, materially – and are willing to share it, the whole ecosystem around them gets better. I think of it like the saying, ‘A rising tide lifts all the boats’. Read More>>
Jerzy nieves
My Generosity comes from caring about people. I don’t just “provide a service” — I care about my couples, their experience, their memories, and making them feel taken care of. I’m always thinking about how to add value — helping with timelines, vendor recommendations, calming nerves, giving guidance beyond just photos/video. I lead with love, not just business. Read More>>
Lilli Chappell
My generosity comes from understanding how powerful even small acts of kindness can be. I’ve learned—through my own experiences and the people around me that giving, whether it’s time, support, or compassion, creates connection and can truly change someone’s day or even their life. It’s something that feels natural to me. Read More>>
Georgina Montoya
“My generosity comes from the family I grew up in. I was raised in a very close-knit Mexican family that truly loves being together—it’s part of our culture, but also who we are as a family. We’ve always been the kind of people who support, uplift, and show up for others. My mom is the heart of our family; she loves bringing everyone together. Read More>>
Shaadie Nunnally
My generosity comes from being an only child with games, toys and a bunkbed in a neighborhood full of kids that didn’t have what I had. All I want was to be able to provide to others what they may not have so that we can all enjoy having fun together and not just me by myself. Read More>>
